Topwater Lures
Topwater Bass Fishing Lures — Frogs, Poppers & Walking Baits
The Googan Squad topwater lures collection is built for anglers who want explosive, visual strikes right on the surface. Topwater bass fishing lures are some of the most exciting baits you can throw because every bite happens in plain sight, often producing violent blow-ups and aggressive reaction strikes. Our topwater fishing lures are designed to imitate prey struggling on the surface — baitfish, frogs, insects, and small animals — creating splashes, wakes, and vibration that pull fish up from cover.
This lineup covers every major topwater bass lure style: poppers, walking baits, prop baits, buzz frogs, and wake baits. The Blooper is a classic popper, using a cupped mouth to throw water and call fish from a distance. Walking baits like the Hound and Two-Step use a side-to-side "walk-the-dog" action that mimics a wounded baitfish skittering across the surface. The Revolver is a prop bait that churns constant surface disturbance, while the Filthy Frog line covers weedless topwater frog fishing through heavy mats and pads.
When to use topwater lures for bass: topwater fishing shines early morning, late evening, on overcast days, and any time bass are actively feeding near the surface — though a well-placed topwater frog or popper can also trigger reaction strikes from fish holding under shallow cover throughout the day. Match your retrieve speed and lure style to the conditions: slow-rolled frogs over matted vegetation, steady walking baits over open flats, and popping baits worked around docks and laydowns.
Every Googan Squad topwater bass fishing lure is built and tested by anglers who fish these baits themselves. Pair your topwater lure with a Googan Squad Rod and a floating monofilament or braid-to-leader setup for the best surface action.
Topwater Lures FAQs
Tips on rigging, fishing and choosing the right topwater lures from the Googan Squad.
What is a topwater lure?
A topwater lure stays on the surface and draws strikes with noise and commotion. Types include walking baits (Two-Step), poppers (Blooper), hollow-body frogs (Filthy Frog), buzzbaits (Hummer), wake baits (Wake Banger, Bass Mafia Hitman), plopper-style baits (Revolver) and buzz toads (Explode Toad).
When should I use topwater lures for bass?
Topwater is best in low light — early morning, evening and overcast days — when water is above about 60°F, and around shallow cover, grass and points. Late spring through fall is peak season.
How do you work a topwater lure?
Walking baits: twitch the rod tip on slack line so the bait zigzags (walk the dog). Poppers: short pops with pauses. Frogs: walk or pop them over mats and pause in holes. Buzzbaits, wake baits and plopper-style baits: a steady retrieve.
Are topwater lures good at night?
Yes. Topwaters that make noise — buzzbaits like the Hummer, poppers and plopper-style baits — are excellent after dark in summer. Dark colors like black make the best silhouette.
What line is best for topwater lures?
Monofilament floats and keeps topwaters riding high; braid gives long casts and solid hooksets and is a must for frogs. Fluorocarbon sinks, so it's not ideal for most topwaters.
When should I set the hook on a topwater bite?
Wait until you feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook — reacting to the splash often pulls the lure away. With frogs, pause a split second for the bass to turn down.
What is a buzzbait?
A buzzbait has a propeller blade that churns the surface on a steady retrieve. Fish it fast over shallow cover and grass. The Hummer is Googan's buzzbait.
How do you fish a frog?
Cast a hollow-body frog like the Filthy Frog onto mats or pads, walk it across with rod twitches and pause in open holes. When a bass blows up, wait until the frog disappears before setting the hook.
What color topwater lure should I use?
Natural and translucent colors in clear water, white and bone on cloudy days, and black at night for the strongest silhouette.
